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1167378

registered interest
date	30/10/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	South Sudan: Money Laundering
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his (a) Kenyan, (b) Ugandan and (c) South Sudanese counterparts on preventing money-laundering and profiteering by the South Sudanese elite.
tabling member constituency	Hornsey and Wood Green
tabling member printed	Catherine West
uin	7752
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>​Illicit finance is a driver of destabilisation, poor governance and conflict. In South Sudan this leads to resources being diverted that could be used to support peace process implementation and end the suffering of the people of South Sudan. We encourage the region to address weaknesses in their financial systems that provide channels for illicit finance, including in relation to South Sudan. In January the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, HM Treasury and Home Office Ministers wrote to their Kenyan and Ugandan counterparts outlining UK concerns, as well as offering practical support to help ensure robust systems are in place to deter corruption and illicit financial flows. The UK has also deployed technical expertise from both the National Crime Agency and Department for International Development to ensure Kenya’s compliance with Financial Action Task Force standards that can help to address the illicit financial flows in the region. British officials in Juba also frequently engage with the South Sudanese Ministry of Finance to ensure its spending is in line with its approved budget and to urge transparency and accountability in line with the provisions of the 12 September 2018 Peace Agreement.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 04/11/2019 14:56:13 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	4523 label Biography information for Catherine West

1167477

registered interest
date	30/10/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	The Gambia: Human Rights
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in The Gambia in relation to (a) freedom of expression and (b) freedom of association.
tabling member constituency	Heywood and Middleton
tabling member printed	Liz McInnes
uin	7724
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>The British Government has a strong relationship with The Gambia and is encouraged by positive progress on the human rights situation since President Barrow took office in 2017. We welcome the commitment of the President and the Government of The Gambia to embrace change by drafting a new Gambian Constitution that has a human rights based approach to development with freedom of expression, freedom of association and media freedom at the heart of it. As the former Foreign Secretary acknowledged at the UNESCO World Press Freedom Day event on 2 May 2019, The Gambia has made huge strides in improving media freedoms having climbed 30 places in the World Press Freedom Index over the last year.</p><p>When our Ambassador for Human Rights visited The Gambia in October, she held constructive meetings across the Government of The Gambia and with civil society on human rights issues. We now look forward to The Gambia’s upcoming Human Rights Universal Periodic Review on 5 November and urge the Government of the Gambia to implement recommendations appropriately in fulfilment of their human rights obligations.</p><p>The UK will continue to support The Gambia taking specific action to resolve the challenges still to be addressed so that the human rights of all its citizens are respected and protected.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson grouped question UIN 7725 question first answered 04/11/2019 14:47:51 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	4342 label Biography information for Liz McInnes

1167478

registered interest
date	30/10/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	The Gambia: Press Freedom
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help promote media freedom in The Gambia.
tabling member constituency	Heywood and Middleton
tabling member printed	Liz McInnes
uin	7725
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>The British Government has a strong relationship with The Gambia and is encouraged by positive progress on the human rights situation since President Barrow took office in 2017. We welcome the commitment of the President and the Government of The Gambia to embrace change by drafting a new Gambian Constitution that has a human rights based approach to development with freedom of expression, freedom of association and media freedom at the heart of it. As the former Foreign Secretary acknowledged at the UNESCO World Press Freedom Day event on 2 May 2019, The Gambia has made huge strides in improving media freedoms having climbed 30 places in the World Press Freedom Index over the last year.</p><p>When our Ambassador for Human Rights visited The Gambia in October, she held constructive meetings across the Government of The Gambia and with civil society on human rights issues. We now look forward to The Gambia’s upcoming Human Rights Universal Periodic Review on 5 November and urge the Government of the Gambia to implement recommendations appropriately in fulfilment of their human rights obligations.</p><p>The UK will continue to support The Gambia taking specific action to resolve the challenges still to be addressed so that the human rights of all its citizens are respected and protected.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson grouped question UIN 7724 question first answered 04/11/2019 14:47:51 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	4342 label Biography information for Liz McInnes

1167075

registered interest
date	29/10/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Developing Countries: Females
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department is taking to recognise, promote and support the paid and unpaid work of older women as part of its economic empowerment programs.
tabling member constituency	Woking
tabling member printed	Mr Jonathan Lord
uin	7140
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>Through the Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women programme the UK Government invested in research to better understand the care economy, and the interventions that will most help women to become economically empowered and productive. The Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women programme undertook 14 research projects in 50 countries and promoted the use of research by decision makers. DFID is commissioning further research in a new phase which will include a focus on women’s unpaid care work.</p><p> </p><p>DFID’s leadership on improving collection and use of disaggregated sex and age data seeks to empower older women (among other groups) to escape poverty. Our Inclusive Data Charter Action Plan sets out the steps we will take to work across the international system to develop tools, methods, and guidance on inclusive data.</p><p> </p><p>UKAid is supporting the expansion of social protection programmes to empower older people. For example, the UK has supported the Government of Uganda over the last 10 years to deliver a Senior Citizen Grant. The programme currently supports 168,340 older people each year.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 05/11/2019 13:35:27 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	4090 label Biography information for Mr Jonathan Lord

1167113

registered interest
date	29/10/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Somalia: Malnutrition
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps he is taking to integrate malnutrition prevention and treatment objectives into his Department's resilience programmes in Somalia.
tabling member constituency	Manchester, Gorton
tabling member printed	Afzal Khan
uin	7217
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/11/2019 answer text <p>The UK has been at the forefront of building resilience in Somalia since 2013 and is widely acknowledged to have played a leading role in preventing famine in 2017. Our current four year £64 million Building Resilient Communities in Somalia programme has fully integrated the prevention and treatment of malnutrition within the overall community driven approach and will contribute to improved outcomes for malnourished children. The programme is expected to support at least 160,000 women and children through malnutrition treatment and prevention services by 2022. Other donors are following our lead to build resilience in Somalia and break the cycle of dependency on relief aid.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 05/11/2019 13:36:21 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	4671 label Biography information for Afzal Khan

1166618

registered interest
date	28/10/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	Eswatini: Human Rights
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the human rights situation in Swaziland.
tabling member constituency	St Helens North
tabling member printed	Conor McGinn
uin	6438
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2019 answer text <p>​The British Government is aware of unconfirmed reports of human rights violations during recent protests in Eswatini. We continue to call for respect of the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association enshrined in Eswatini’s constitution. The appointment of a resident High Commissioner to Eswatini in July 2019 has given us the opportunity to deepen our engagement with the Eswatini government. Our High Commissioner has raised the need for proportionate response to protest with senior officials in the Eswatini Government. On 24 October he also raised with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the need for any allegations of human rights violations to be investigated.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 31/10/2019 16:12:28 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	4458 label Biography information for Conor McGinn

1166655

registered interest
date	28/10/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Department for International Development: Brexit
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many of his civil servants have been deployed to other Departments from his Department's (a) London office b) Scotland office and (c) offices overseas to work on tasks relating to the UK leaving the EU.
tabling member constituency	Birmingham, Edgbaston
tabling member printed	Preet Kaur Gill
uin	6481
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2019 answer text <p>As at 28 October, the breakdown of DFID staff deployed to other government departments to work on EU exit related tasks is as follows:</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Office</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>No. deployed</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>DFID London</p></td><td><p>127</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>DFID Scotland</p></td><td><p>21</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>DFID Overseas</p></td><td><p>Less than 5</p></td></tr></tbody></table> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 31/10/2019 16:25:00 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	4603 label Biography information for Preet Kaur Gill

1166895

registered interest
date	28/10/2019
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Developing Countries: Malnutrition
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps his Department's climate and agriculture teams will take to ensure that the development of more climate resilient crop varieties will improve nutritional outcomes for the poorest people in countries with the highest burden of malnutrition and food insecurity; and what steps his Department will take to track those outcomes.
tabling member constituency	Ealing, Southall
tabling member printed	Mr Virendra Sharma
uin	6326
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 31/10/2019 answer text <p>DFID funds the development of new crop varieties which are high yielding, climate and disease resilient, and have improved nutritional value. This includes flood tolerant rice that reduces risks for 10 million smallholders in South Asia, and drought tolerant maize that delivers more stable yields under climate stress being grown by 3 million households in Africa. DFID also supports the development and delivery of biofortified crops, which are conventionally bred with higher levels of zinc, iron and Vitamin A, as well as climate-resilient traits such as drought and pest tolerance. By 2018, DFID had reached over 8 million households with these climate-resilient and nutritious crops such as high iron beans and pearl millet, and orange sweet potato (high in Vitamin A).</p><p> </p><p>DFID plans to reach 13.5 million households in countries with high levels of nutrition insecurity by 2022 with these new biofortified crops. DFID tracks outcomes closely through its international research partners, and invests in the generation of high quality evidence to measure impact and cost-effectiveness of such interventions.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson question first answered 31/10/2019 16:21:55 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	1604 label Biography information for Mr Virendra Sharma

1166902

registered interest
date	28/10/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	South Sudan: Peace Negotiations
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment the Government has made of the implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement in South Sudan.
tabling member constituency	North East Fife
tabling member printed	Stephen Gethins
uin	6430
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>The UK recognises that a significant amount of progress has been achieved since the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan on 12 September 2018, including a reduction in fighting between the parties. However, implementation of a number of important agreed tasks is falling behind, including the unification of armed forces, security arrangements for returning opposition leaders, and the future number and composition of states. Further effort is required now from all sides to ensure the conditions to allow an inclusive, transitional government to form. The 12 November 2019 deadline for the formation of a transitional government is an important step in the peace process; we urge parties to show unity, cooperation and compromise.</p><p>We engage frequently in Juba, the region and internationally to urge all parties to deliver on their promises made in the 12 September 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan. When I met the President of South Sudan on 13 August 2019 I reaffirmed the UK's support for the people of South Sudan. I urged President Kiir to take the steps necessary to form a government of national unity. In the last month, our Ambassador in Juba has reinforced this message with all sides including with President Kiir; the Ministers of finance, security and foreign affairs; and all signatories to the peace agreement and key interlocutors. On 21 October we, alongside Troika partners (UK, US and Norway) issued a statement urging the all sides to demonstrate their commitment to peace by increasing co-operation and working together to resolve outstanding issues (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/south-sudan-troika-statement-october-2019" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/south-sudan-troika-statement-october-2019</a>). The UK Special Envoy will be in Juba and the region next week to reinforce these messages and urge progress.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson grouped question UIN 6431 6432 question first answered 04/11/2019 14:54:28 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	4434 label Biography information for Stephen Gethins

1166905

registered interest
date	28/10/2019
answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept id	16
answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
hansard heading	South Sudan: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to address the key concerns of international observers and the people of South Sudan on potential difficulties in the formation of a Government of National Unity in that country.
tabling member constituency	North East Fife
tabling member printed	Stephen Gethins
uin	6431
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2019 answer text <p>The UK recognises that a significant amount of progress has been achieved since the signing of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan on 12 September 2018, including a reduction in fighting between the parties. However, implementation of a number of important agreed tasks is falling behind, including the unification of armed forces, security arrangements for returning opposition leaders, and the future number and composition of states. Further effort is required now from all sides to ensure the conditions to allow an inclusive, transitional government to form. The 12 November 2019 deadline for the formation of a transitional government is an important step in the peace process; we urge parties to show unity, cooperation and compromise.</p><p>We engage frequently in Juba, the region and internationally to urge all parties to deliver on their promises made in the 12 September 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan. When I met the President of South Sudan on 13 August 2019 I reaffirmed the UK's support for the people of South Sudan. I urged President Kiir to take the steps necessary to form a government of national unity. In the last month, our Ambassador in Juba has reinforced this message with all sides including with President Kiir; the Ministers of finance, security and foreign affairs; and all signatories to the peace agreement and key interlocutors. On 21 October we, alongside Troika partners (UK, US and Norway) issued a statement urging the all sides to demonstrate their commitment to peace by increasing co-operation and working together to resolve outstanding issues (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/south-sudan-troika-statement-october-2019" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/south-sudan-troika-statement-october-2019</a>). The UK Special Envoy will be in Juba and the region next week to reinforce these messages and urge progress.</p> answering member constituency Pendle answering member printed Andrew Stephenson grouped question UIN 6430 6432 question first answered 04/11/2019 14:54:28 answering member 4044 label Biography information for Andrew Stephenson
tabling member	4434 label Biography information for Stephen Gethins